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Why do hairdressers offer you tea or coffee

109 replies

SpottyDoll · 21/09/2023 17:04

I remember my mother tksing me to a hairdresser when I was small and my mother was offered tea. The offering of tea/coffee/refreshments happemed a few times since then.

There was a time when I stopped going to hairdressers and so I forgot about it. But I and an appointment last week and I was offered tea/coffee. I declinced because I was only there for a short time (wash and cut and blow-dry and also I had my bottle of water there with me).

I could understand the offering of tea or coffee for a long service if one will be there for a few hours but for a short service like a wash and blow-dry or for a cut, wash and blow - it's only really about 50 minutes.

It's just something I was pondering about.

OP posts:
EquallyDetermined · 21/09/2023 19:36

RobinStrike · 21/09/2023 19:29

For those of you who have a coffee/tea during a cut and blow dry, how do you navigate drinking it? I'm happy to have a up if I arrive early or they are running late but when I'm in the chair having my hair cut I daren't move to pick up the cup. I'd probably choose the wrong second and the scissors would snip in the wrong direction !

I hold my hand up and say "I'm just going to pour the tea", then I sip at it when she's looking for a brush or spray, or speaking to another member of staff. Quite often she'll say "do you want me to stop a moment so you can have your tea". It just works naturally.

Babygirl888 · 21/09/2023 19:38

Mine offer but i always say no. I always feel like there'd be a hair in it.

ShipshapeShore · 21/09/2023 19:43

I find it really stressful wondering if it's a good time to take a sip so always decline even if I quite fancy a drink!

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xyz111 · 21/09/2023 19:51

Mine has the most amazing hot chocolate in the world!! I never have it any other time but at the hairdressers, nothing competes!

bombastix · 21/09/2023 19:53

I like it.

Also less dangerous to have a Prosecco at the hairdressers than at a shopping event. If you don't want to end up with a bag of drunk decisions

ellebelli · 21/09/2023 19:53

I get tea and a biscuit.
If i am there a few hours I usually get offered a 2nd cup and get another biscuit

During the Christmas period usually prosesso and a chocolate.

VanillaFlotilla · 21/09/2023 19:55

My hair salon has a sort of heath ethos and based on that (?) they do not offer coffee. Only water and herbal tea. Which I gather means that they believe coffee to be unhealthy - which is not the case. I need coffee....

faban · 21/09/2023 20:00

I usually have one while my colours on but last time I just had a cut and the hair went all in my tea 🫠

LoobyDop · 21/09/2023 20:04

Some people drink tea and coffee the way smokers smoke- they need a regular top-up or they’re miserable. What would be really nice at the hairdresser would be if they offered to nip out and get you a sandwich if you were in there for several hours over lunchtime.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 21/09/2023 20:11

I’m pondering why you felt the need to take a bottle of water to the hairdresser.

WellThisIsFun1 · 21/09/2023 20:13

Mine does coffee, tea, G&T and Prosecco.

I frequently get a lift there do I can indulge. They don't limit you to just the one either

BrightLightTonight · 21/09/2023 20:21

My hairdresser always gives me a glass of wine

ActDottie · 21/09/2023 20:21

Because it’s a nice thing to do, for some people that may be the only down time they get from busy family life so a cup of tea or coffee can make all the difference

Snugglemonkey · 21/09/2023 20:21

I was at the hairdressers for 2 hours last week. I had 3 cups of tea. I was also offered prosecco but was driving. I have never not been offered tea.

LoobyDop · 21/09/2023 20:22

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 21/09/2023 20:11

I’m pondering why you felt the need to take a bottle of water to the hairdresser.

What’s weird about that? I always take a bottle of water with me if I’m going out for a few hours, unless I’m specifically going out to eat and drink. Far better to carry a reusable one around than end up buying a disposable one because you’re suddenly thirsty.

mondaytosunday · 21/09/2023 20:22

Well you might only be there for 50 minutes but what else were you doing before? Some people may be there after half a day shopping or whatever and be looking forward to a cup of tea.
One of the women I used to go to made the best tea - I always accepted!
If you don't want one just say no. It's a polite convention but you are not obligated to accept!

Ladyj84 · 21/09/2023 20:23

Blimey I've never been offered and been to a fair few different ones around the country

SpottyDoll · 21/09/2023 20:26

Thanks for the replies. I am loving how some hairdressers offer alcohic beverages. I would love to get merry at the hairdressers.

OP posts:
GodDammitCecil · 21/09/2023 20:27

What a bizarre thing to wonder about, to the extent of starting a thread.

The answer is: because it’s nice.

50 minutes is more than enough time to enjoy a drink, so of course many hairdressers will offer one, regardless of how long you’ll be in the chair.

The answer - if you don’t want a drink, or a fussy about your drinks - is: ‘no thank you’.

P.S. Confused

BeansOnToast32 · 21/09/2023 20:34

Mine offer tea, different coffees, water, fresh juice and alcohol. I usually get offered a drink 3 times, when I first sit down, after applying dye and then again when I'm getting my cut/blow dry. I usually only have one drink.

They also have chairs that massage you while you are getting your hair washed.

givemeasunnyday · 21/09/2023 20:51

AtomicBlondeRose · 21/09/2023 17:16

I always decline because I can’t work out when you’re meant to drink it. I mean, if you’re having a cut and blow dry there’s basically no time when the hairdresser isn’t actually doing your hair and it seems really rude to keep bending forwards to drink it and stopping her from working.

How would it be "really rude?" They've offered you the drink, they don't expect you to just sit and look at it, and why do you have to bend forwards - you pick up the cup and bring it to your lips. Any stopping them from working is about 5 seconds. I've never had hair go in it either, in answer to those who have - what sort of hairdressers are you using?

I usually have a drink when I have a wash and cut - and I'm out in under 30 minutes. It's just nice to sit there and have a drink, if you don't want to, decline the offer.

determinedtomakethiswork · 21/09/2023 21:25

I have never read a thread that confused me as much as this one.

EquallyDetermined · 21/09/2023 22:50

Neither have I. I hadn't realise some people spend several hours in the hairdressers for one thing, I didn't realise it took so long to do colour as I only get a cut and blow dry. Do they let you use the loo if you are there a long time and have several drinks?

Mylovelygreendress · 21/09/2023 23:01

Mine offers Prosecco if you are having colour !

LollipopChaos · 21/09/2023 23:11

Yes I have used toilet in hairdressers on odd occasion.